Letters

Michael's return tells us that, if only for a while, we can go home again.
JIM KLEIN, COLUMBUS, OHIO

Jordan's Return
After reading Phil Taylor's article on Michael Jordan (Resurrection, March 27), I changed my tune toward all the hype. When I heard that Jordan was returning to basketball, I was upset that he just up and left his minor league baseball team to walk right back to the Chicago Bulls. I thought he must be hurting everyone involved, especially his baseball teammates and the player who lost his spot on the Bulls' roster. Then I read the article, watched a few Bull games and came to realize that Jordan gave up a lot of money and fame to follow his dream to play baseball. He followed his heart, not his wallet. Now he's back in basketball, not wanting to pick up where he left off but wanting to start fresh. He even left his number where it should be, in the rafters.
LAURA N. RICHARDI, Parsippany, N.J.

It doesn't take Oliver Stone to see that baseball's work stoppage was just an elaborate plot to get Michael Jordan back playing basketball.
CHUCK HADDEN, Arlington, Va.

Michael Jordan appeared on the cover of SI two weeks in a row since his return to basketball. Has His Airness taken over the alltime lead in SI covers from Muhammad Ali? Could you please list the top five?
FRANK M. SCHENK, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

? Ali is still ahead, with 33 covers to Jordan's 32. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is next, with 27; followed by Jack Nicklaus, with 23; and Magic Johnson, with 22.—ED.

Swimming
I was delighted to see your article on swimmer Tom Dolan (A Breath of Fresh Air, April 3), not only because I am a Michigan alumna but also because I am a registered pharmacist. People who have exercise-induced asthma fear that they will have to stop taking part in sports. The article did a lot to dispel this myth.
CYNTHIA KIRMAN MALLIN
Farmington Hills, Mich.

You mentioned Dolan's "unusually narrow esophagus that allows him only 20% of the oxygen intake of the average person." I believe you meant the trachea. We swallow with the esophagus.
MATTHEW A. BERNSTEIN, M.D., Los Angeles

The Wolverines' victory at the NCAA swimming meet under Jon Urbanchek makes Michigan the only school to win NCAA swimming crowns under three coaches. Matt Mann led the Wolverines to the title from 1937 through '41 and again in '48, and Gus Stager's teams won in 1957, '58 and '59.
SCOTT CROWDER, Lakewood, Colo.

AJ Kitt
I would like to thank Rick Reilly for his POINT AFTER describing the frustrations of skier AJ Kitt (March 27). I have seen the way each of Kitt's World Cup downhill victories has been snatched away. Reilly's article may be the only true medal that Kitt receives. Thank you for recognizing his trials and the fact that he is a winner even as the International Skiing Federation goes "downhill."
KEVIN A. KEELY, East Lansing, Mich.

Pan Am Games
As a St. John's graduate I was disappointed in your story about their baseball team, which represented the U.S. at the Pan Am Games (The One That Got Away, March 27). I was proud that St. John's was selected, and I didn't expect the Red Storm to dominate as you apparently did. Lest we forget, these players are true amateurs. They may not have won a single game, but I have nothing but admiration for them.
PAUL V. RIDGWAY, Holmdel, N.J.